A few days ago, I sat down and scanned through the 24 covers of The Hawai‘i Herald published in 2021. It was a challenging year, and we all felt it. As of writing this editor’s note, the daily average of new COVID-19 cases is over 2,600. But flipping through each issue, I couldn’t help to be moved to tears by the resilience, bravery, compassion, beauty and aloha that continues to give us hope.
Jan 15, 2021
Five-year-old Amarie Boatwright holds omamori (amulets) that her parents, Jeramine and Hijiri, purchased from a blessed 2021 at Izumo Taishakyo Mission of Hawaii. (Photo by Wayne Shinbara)
Feb 5, 2021
Sen. Mazie Hirono speaks to the Herald about the violent insurgency at the White House on Jan. 6. Then on Jan. 20, the world watched the inauguration of President Joseph Biden hopefully. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Senate Photography Studio)
April 2, 2021
Ryan Ozawa posted this photo of “Aunty Vinh” on social media. In his caption, he told her story, “She said she suffered a stroke and in recovering; staying inside made her depressed. She likes being outside and watching and meeting people.” Mahalo Ryan and Aunty Vinh for shining a light during dark times. (Photo by Ryan Ozawa)
June 4, 2021
Every year, the Boy Scouts of America continue a tradition of placing American flags on the graves of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). (Photo by Wayne Shinbara)
July 2, 2021
Dan Nakasone wrote the cover story “Kalaupapa: A Place of Contradiction and Contemplation.” The harsh reality of Hansen’s disease patients is reflected in this 1932 photograph of the original Long House visitation pavilion. On the left sits a visiting family member who could visit their loved one only through a chain-linked fence. (Photo courtesy of the Kalaupapa Historical Society)
August6, 2021
Pow! Wow! Artist Tatiana Suarez’s “Things to Come” was inspired by the “colorful flora and fauna found in Hawai‘i, especially the ‘öhi‘a lehua.” Suarez wanted to convey the thoughts of “overwhelming uncertainty and sadness” in this piece while carefully crafting the message of “growth and joy, recharged and ready to bloom” for the year. (Photo by Brandon Shigeta)
Aug 20, 2021
“Chimugukuru Tiichi — All Hearts Unite as One” was the theme for the Hawaii United Okinawa Association for 2021. This bowl of ashi tibishi (pig’s feet soup), comfort food for Okinawans in Hawai‘i, reminded us of gathering with loved ones while enjoying local comfort food. (Photo by Reid Shimabukuro)
Oct 1, 2021
“Edge of Creation” is one of many powerful and alluring expressions of Tütü Pele’s work captured by award-winning photographer Bruce Omori.
Oct 1, 2021
Dr. Young Soo Rho was one of four frontline healthcare workers from the Queen’s Medical Center. They shared their first-hand emotional experience of compassionately caring for COVID-19 patients and their families. (Photo by Brandon Miyagi)
Nov 5, 2021
Hawaii News Now’s Emmy award-winning Ashley Nagaoka (anchor/reporter of the “First at 4” newscast) was the “Gambaru Girl” of the year. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Nagaoka)
